What to Ask Before Hiring a Locksmith in Sydney

Hiring a locksmith is usually a quick decision made at an inconvenient moment. You are locked out, a lock has failed, or you have just moved in and want to change who has keys. In those moments it is easy to say yes to the first person who answers the phone.

A few well-chosen questions can save you money, stress and a second callout. This guide lists the questions worth asking, explains what good answers sound like, and points out the answers that should make you hesitate. It applies whether you need a locksmith in Bankstown, elsewhere in Sydney or anywhere in NSW.

Before you call: know what you need

You will get clearer answers if you can describe the job clearly. Before calling, try to note:

• The property type. House, unit, townhouse, shop, office or warehouse.
• The door or window. Front door, back door, screen door, sliding door, window or gate.
• The problem. Locked out, key snapped, lock stiff, keys lost, lock damaged, or wanting an upgrade.
• The urgency. Emergency, today, this week or general enquiry.
• A photo. A clear photo of the lock and the edge of the door helps enormously.

With this information, a locksmith can give you a far more accurate answer.

Question 1: "What will it cost?"

This is the most important question, and the one most often avoided.

A good answer explains what the price depends on and gives you a clear figure or range for your job. It covers the callout or attendance, labour and any likely parts. It also tells you whether the price changes at different times of day.

A worrying answer is a very low figure with no detail, or a refusal to say anything until they arrive. A price that sounds too good to be true often grows once the locksmith is at your door.

Follow-up questions:

• Does that include parts?
• How many keys are included?
• What happens if the job takes longer?
• Will you ask me before doing anything extra?

Our guide to locksmith costs in Bankstown and Sydney explains how a fair price is built.

Question 2: "When can you get here?"

For urgent jobs, timing matters almost as much as price.

A good answer is an honest estimate based on where the locksmith is now. They may give you a window rather than an exact time, and they will tell you if something changes.

A worrying answer is a guaranteed arrival time that sounds unrealistic, especially from a service that covers a huge area. Some lead-generation services promise quick arrivals and then pass the job to whoever is free.

We will not promise an arrival time we have not confirmed with you on the call. That is a deliberate choice, because a broken promise is worse than an honest estimate.

Question 3: "Are you licensed?"

In NSW, locksmith work is security work and is subject to licensing. A legitimate locksmith will give you their licence number straight away.

A good answer is a licence number and a name you can check on the public register.

A worrying answer is hesitation, excuses or a claim that a licence is not needed.

Our guide on how to check a licensed locksmith in NSW explains how to check a licence in a few minutes.

Question 4: "Where are you based?"

A local locksmith can usually reach you faster and is accountable to the community they work in.

A good answer is a real business address and a local phone number.

A worrying answer is vague, such as "we cover all of Sydney", with no actual address. That may mean you are calling a call centre rather than a locksmith.

Our address is 37 Rickard Rd, Bankstown NSW 2200, and we cover Bankstown, Yagoona, Punchbowl, Condell Park, Greenacre and Revesby. Our service areas page explains each suburb.

Question 5: "How will you open the door?"

This question matters most for lockouts.

A good answer is that they will try non-destructive methods first, such as picking or bypassing the latch, and will only drill as a last resort after explaining why.

A worrying answer is that they will drill the lock straight away. Drilling destroys the lock, which means you also pay for a replacement. Some locksmiths drill unnecessarily because selling a new lock is more profitable.

Question 6: "Do I need to rekey or replace?"

If you are dealing with lost keys, a move or a change of tenant, ask which option the locksmith recommends and why.

A good answer compares both options honestly. If your locks are in good condition, rekeying is usually cheaper and gives the same result.

A worrying answer is an automatic recommendation to replace every lock, especially with expensive hardware, without looking at the condition of your existing locks.

Our article Rekey or Replace Locks? explains the choice in detail.

Question 7: "What parts will you use?"

Lock quality varies a lot. Two locks can look similar but perform very differently over time.

A good answer names the type of lock or cylinder, explains why it suits your door and gives you a choice if there are options.

A worrying answer is vague, or pushes premium hardware the door does not need.

It is also reasonable to ask whether the new lock will fit the existing holes in the door. Reusing existing cut-outs keeps the door strong and looks neater.

Question 8: "Do you need proof that I live here?"

You might expect locksmiths to avoid this question, but the best ones raise it themselves.

A good answer is yes. They will ask for ID, a lease or another reasonable proof before opening a property.

A worrying answer is that they do not need anything. A locksmith who opens your door without checking might do the same for a stranger.

Question 9: "Can one key open all my doors?"

Many households and businesses carry far more keys than they need.

A good answer explains whether your locks can be keyed alike and what that would involve.

A worrying answer is no explanation at all, or an insistence that you need all new locks to do it.

Question 10: "Do you have insurance?"

Public liability insurance protects you if something goes wrong during the job, such as damage to your property.

A good answer is a clear yes, with details if you ask.

A worrying answer is hesitation or a claim that insurance is not needed.

Question 11: "Will I get an invoice?"

A good answer is yes, with the business name, ABN and a description of the work. This matters for insurance claims, landlords and businesses.

A worrying answer is cash only, with no paperwork.

Question 12: "What happens if something goes wrong after you leave?"

Locks sometimes need a small adjustment once a door settles.

A good answer explains how to contact them if the lock is not working properly, and what they will do about it.

A worrying answer is no clear way to get back in touch.

Extra questions for landlords and tenants

If the property is rented, ask:

• Who is authorising the work, the tenant, landlord or agent?
• Who will receive the new keys?
• Does the work comply with current NSW tenancy rules?

Our guide to landlord and tenant lock change rules in NSW covers the basics.

Extra questions for businesses

For shops, offices and warehouses, ask:

• Can you schedule the work outside trading hours?
• Can you set up a simple key plan?
• How will keys be recorded?
• Does any door need to remain an unlocked exit from inside?

Our commercial locksmith page explains how we work with businesses.

Answers that should make you stop

You can say no at any point, even if the locksmith has already arrived. Consider stopping the job if you hear:

• "I can't tell you the price until I see it", with no estimate at all.
• "We have to drill it", before any other method has been tried.
• "You need all new high-security locks", for a simple lost key problem.
• "Cash only, no invoice."
• "No need to show ID."

A short checklist to keep in your phone

1. What will it cost, and what does that include?
2. When can you get here?
3. What is your licence number?
4. Where are you based?
5. Will you try non-destructive entry first?
6. Rekey or replace, and why?
7. What parts will you use?
8. Will you ask before doing anything extra?
9. Will I get an invoice?

After the job: questions worth asking

Before the locksmith leaves, ask a few final questions. How should the new lock feel when it is working properly? Is there anything you should avoid, such as using oil? How many keys were cut, and are they all in your hand? What should you do if the lock starts to feel stiff? Clear answers now save confusion later, and a good locksmith will be glad you asked.

Our answers

We think customers should get clear answers to every question on this page, so here are ours. We are based at 37 Rickard Rd, Bankstown. We work 7 days, 7:00am to midnight, and we are not a 24-hour service. We give a cost before any work starts, try non-destructive entry first, ask for proof of ownership before opening a property, and recommend rekeying when it will do the job. We do not show reviews, ratings or credentials that we cannot verify.

The bottom line

A few minutes of questions can save you from overpaying, unnecessary damage or a second visit. Ask about cost, timing, licensing, location, method and parts, and listen for clear, specific answers. If something does not sound right, you are free to call someone else.

If you would like to ask us these questions, call 02 5657 6414, 7 days from 7:00am to midnight, or send them through the quote form on our contact page. We will answer every one before we start.